How big is Anza-Borrego Desert State Park?

More than 600,000 acres, or roughly 1,000 square miles. It is the largest state park in California and the third largest in the United States, spanning parts of San Diego, Riverside and Imperial counties.

How much does it cost to enter Anza-Borrego?

Day use is $10 per vehicle, collected at the Visitor Center, developed campgrounds and several popular trailheads including The Slot and Hellhole Canyon. The park has no entrance gates and much of it can be accessed without a fee.

When is wildflower season at Anza-Borrego?

Annual wildflowers can appear from January through mid-April, with peak bloom most often between late February and early April. Timing varies year to year based on rainfall and temperature.

Is Anza-Borrego a Dark Sky Park?

Yes. The park was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2018 at Silver tier. Borrego Springs, the town at its center, has been an International Dark Sky Community since 2009, the first in California.

Do I need four-wheel drive at Anza-Borrego?

Not for the paved roads, the Visitor Center or the main campgrounds. The vast majority of the park's roughly 500 miles of dirt roads do require a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Is Anza-Borrego Desert State Park open at night?

Yes, the park is open 24 hours a day, year-round. The Visitor Center is open daily 9am to 5pm October through May, and weekends and holidays only June through September.

Andrea McKenna • October 29, 2026

Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and Staff & Sword Classes Begin November 1 at Yellow Woman Ranch

New Sunday morning classes offer adults opportunities to improve balance, flexibility, strength, and coordination in Borrego Springs.

Yellow Woman Ranch (YWR) will introduce three movement classes on Sunday, November 1, 2026, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., led by certified instructor Jill Feltovich. The sessions include Qi Gong, Beginning Tai Chi, and Stretch, Staff and Sword. Each 30-minute class costs $15, and registration is available at YellowWomanRanch.com/events.

Sunday, November 1 Schedule

9:00–9:30 a.m. — Qi Gong: Gentle movement, breathing exercises, and mindfulness practices designed to encourage relaxation, balance, and flexibility.
9:30–10:00 a.m. — Beginning Tai Chi: An introduction to slow, controlled movements that help develop coordination, stability, and body awareness.
10:00–10:30 a.m. — Stretch, Staff and Sword: A more active session combining stretching, staff spinning, and basic sword techniques to build strength, coordination, and flexibility.

Movement for Health and Well-Being

Qi Gong and Tai Chi are traditional Chinese movement practices that emphasize the connection between body, breath, and mind.

Qi Gong combines gentle exercises with controlled breathing and meditation. Its movements can help participants work on balance, mobility, and physical awareness without the intensity of a conventional workout.

Tai Chi uses a series of slow, flowing movements that encourage stability, posture, and coordination. Although the movements may appear simple, they require concentration and controlled shifts in body weight.

The Stretch, Staff and Sword class adds another dimension, introducing participants to movements using staffs and swords. The exercises focus on upper-body strength, coordination, and flexibility while offering a different way to stay active. Equipment is provided.

Meet the Instructor

Jill Feltovich is a Tai Chi Healthways-certified senior instructor who studied for 15 years under Tai Chi Master Dr. Jesse Tsao. Her experience includes Chen and Yang styles of Tai Chi as well as Qi Gong.

Her classes introduce fundamental movements and techniques while allowing participants to develop their skills at a comfortable pace.